Chuck Hagel is going to be 6th in the Presidential line of succession. Two particular Senators ...

[11 Bravo]

can't fucking stand the fact that Hagel will be closer to the Presidency than that inflamed old hemorrhoid McCain will ever be.

Tough shit, Walnuts. Why don't you go crash another airplane and see if that makes you feel better?

Yes or no, Senator. Were you a shitty pilot? I'm asking you a direct question ... YES OR NO?

[montanacowboy]

1. And If I am not mistaken

the asshole crashed more than one plane - how much did that cost the US Govt? and how many guys died on the aircraft carrier because of his crash? And Senator, did you or did you not graduate at the bottom of your class? Yes or NO?

He is making such a fool of himself, he needs to go away and stay away forever and ever. He is a disgusting POS

[pangaia]

13. As difficult as this will be to write..

As I understand it, McDumbnuts did not crash his plane on the carrier.
Although with his limited flying skills, he certainly could have. :&gt

[TwilightGardener]

2. Picking Palin disqualifies McSurge from any position of responsibility, let alone the Presidency.

[Cha]

6. Exactly. Yes or No, Senator: "was

failed governor of Alaska a good pick?"

[LaPera]

3. The republicans can't do a jack-shit to block any cabinet post - all they can do....

A simple majority of 51 senators is required to confirm a Cabinet position.

The Dems have 55 Senate votes in their caucus and 1 more vote from the VP if needed.

The republicans can't do a jack-shit to block any cabinet post - all they can do is scream for the Fox 'news' cameras....like they are really saying something signification (you aren't senator McCain).

[tritsofme]

19. Hagel will face a cloture vote.

Which will be a 60 vote test.

[freshwest]

4. Ouch!

[bvar22]

5. Has EVERYBODY here lost their damned minds??!!!

After ALL the pleasant rationalizations and copious amounts of Lipstick-on-the-PIG,
Chuck Hagel IS a Solid Reagan Republican.

Has DU lurched so FAR to the Conservative Right that we now cheer for MORE Reagan Republicans in positions of power.

Can't we find any damned DEMOCRATS?

[11 Bravo]

7. Not cheering for anyone. Merely making a statement of fact. Hagel (while not my first choice) ...

will be confirmed. Grampa McCain is a grouchy, bitter, old shitstain. (And a lousy pilot.)

If you can find cheerleading in that, then there's GOT to be a high school somewhere that will hire you to coach their pep squad.

[TwilightGardener]

8. You need to look past party in this case. 99% percent of the time, it matters a lot. This is

a unique circumstance.

[bvar22]

9. I have never met ..

...a Reagan "Government IS the Problem" Republican who I can support for ANY position of authority in our government.

If I did, I would VOTE for Republicans and send THEM my money.
I don't.
I send my money to Democrats,
and expect Democrats to be appointed to positions of power.

This is NOT a "Unique Situation" where supporting Republicans is NOW OK.
Unfortunately, these "Unique Situations" where our president winds up empowering Republicans happens all too frequently.
This is ANOTHER incremental Step-to-the-Republican-Right,
and I do NOT have to support it anymore.

Find a DAMN DEMOCRAT!!!!




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

[bigwillq]

10. ....

[TwilightGardener]

11. It's not an elected office. Hagel is well-qualified to run the DoD, and

is aligned with Obama, Kerry and Biden almost perfectly--and where he isn't, he will follow the White House's and Congress' directives. As far as positions of power goes, it's a dead-end--not a stepping stone for him. So I do make an exception here. Hagel will not drive Obama to the right, nor does he signify an endorsement of the right's ideas.

[bvar22]

16. "It is not an elected office."

I know.
That makes it WORSE,
not better.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Within the scope he will be given, he's a good choice.

[LukeFL]

22. Right on!!!

McCain is an old a fry man and clearly has vendetta against Hagel. I think Hagel is a " likable" guy who served his country and did not agree with the war in Iraq- that is admirable- he has strong opinions on that-

Having said that, I am SURE we could have found a capable, patriotic, smart Democrat for that post. I would have preferred that as well.

Whe.n did a reoub administration appointed cabinet members who were Dems - high posts like this?!

Anybody?

[riqster]

23. Meanwhile, the world gets to see how whacked-out the Reeps are

As they eat their own. And Obama can say, "I even nominate Republicans and they try to block me!".

[LittleBlue]

12. Normally I'd say yes, but the lives of the soldiers overrides party politics

We need someone who is skeptical about war, someone who has experienced it and demonstrated skepticism in the past. I can think of better candidates, but not ones who could pass the senate.

Obama trusts Hagel with the lives of the soldiers, and I have no reason to doubt his judgment on this considering Hagel's record. So I approve.

[trof]

15. Yep, I like the idea of a grunt who has seen combat being head of DOD.

He sure ain't gonna be the generals' toady.
IMHO, it's an excellent choice.

[grantcart]

17. Pick your objective

1) Reduce the military budget of unnecessary overhead, exotic weapon systems and redundant bases that even the Joint Chiefs don't want


or


2) Appoint a Democrat.


There is no Democratic ex Senator who is going to be able to give cover for the Republicans who also want to reduce the size of the defense budget, none.

If it is a Democratic proposal then it will become a partisan issue.

If the President can bring in budget conservatives and military realists like Hagel then it becomes a broader front and not a party one.

Your choice, appoint a Democrat and then have an all out war for small incremental changes or build a larger constituency including a Republican at the top (who by the way was Bush's loudest war critic, has endorsed Democrats for office and has a long and deep history of criticizing military budget as well as being able to speak to the 'common' enlisted man and have an all out war against deeply entrenched interests (see Eisenhower) and make as much structural change as possible to significantly reduce DOD largesse.

[TwilightGardener]

14. Tweety is letting the spittle fly on McCain's sorry performance today, BTW.

[bvar22]

18. YES. McCain was a complete asshole.

But have we all reached the diminished capacity to be unable to recognize the Binary Choice Fallacy.

McCain BAD =/= Republican GOOD.

Has it really gotten that easy?

Man, no wonder Casinos are making a killing,
all our good jobs are being shipped overseas,
the flow of our wealth is STILL to the 1%,
the Too Big to Fail are even Too BIGGER to Fail,
and the nation prays for rescue to a Benevolent Invisible Hand.
There is no shortage of suckers.



Can't we find a DAMNED DEMOCRAT?!!!!




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

[Stinky The Clown]

21. GMTA . . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022288851